Jackson’s Nation taps Rudolph as VP

Lawrence Rudolph has been named VP, production, at Nation Films, Michael Jackson’s development and production arm based on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot.

Rudolph comes to Nation Films from his post as director of development at Adelson/Baumgarten Prods., where he was involved in such movies as “Universal Soldier,””Hook,””Nowhere to Run” and the upcoming “Cop Gives Waitress $ 2 Million Tip.”

Previously, Rudolph was an assistant to producer Scott Rudin and worked as a reader at Creative Artists Agency.

At Adelson/Baumgarten, Rudolph’s de facto replacement is Meg Dower, who is focusing on developing television properties for the production company.

Nation Films was formed in 1991 as part of Jackson’s megabucks deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment. The deal encompasses every facet of the entertainment industry, including music, movies, video software game development, TV production and the establishment of the Jackson Entertainment Complex at Sony Pictures Entertainment (Daily Variety, March 21, 1991).

Rudolph becomes the No. 2 production exec at Nation Films, working closely with production topper Melissa Bachrach. He was brought to Nation Films by Bachrach and company adviser Sandy Gallin.

Nation Films was established to produce starring vehicles for Jackson, as well as properties earmarked for other talent. Currently, the company has several projects in development, including the futuristic action fantasy “Midknight.”

Based on the singer’s original idea, “Midknight” was stalled for a time by the death of Oscar-winning set designer Anton Furst (“Batman”), who was to have designed the sets and executive produced the project. “Midknight” has recently been revitalized with Howard Rodman rewriting the screenplay.

Originally penned by Caroline Thompson and Larry Wilson (“The Addams Family”) , “Midknight” is about a young man who uses unusual emotional powers to save the young people of a major city from an evil doctor.

Beyond “Midknight,” Nation Films also has “Adam at Midnight” in development. Written by Lee Cohen and Belinda Casa-Wells, the project is described as a reverse Cinderella story. Nation Films is developing “Adam at Midnight” in partnership with Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Prods.